
Self-compassion requires taking a balanced approach
to our negative emotions.
Feelings are neither suppressed nor exaggerated.
The balance stems from the process
of relating personal experiences to those of others
who are also suffering.
Then, we put our situation into a larger perspective.
What would we tell a dear friend who was suffering?
We can treat ourselves with that same compassion.
Self compassion is about the willingness
to observe our negative thoughts and emotions
with openness and clarity,
and hold them in mindful awareness.
Mindfulness is a non-judgmental,
receptive mind state
in which one observes thoughts and feelings
as they are,
without trying to suppress or deny them.
No judgement. Just notice.
We cannot ignore our pain and
feel compassion for it at the same time.
At the same time, mindfulness requires that
we not be “over-identified” with thoughts and feelings,
so that we are caught up and swept away by negative reactivity.
We notice.
Our Feelings.
Without judgment.
In mindful awareness.